Sofia, Bulgaria Report of what it's like to live there - 05/17/16
Personal Experiences from Sofia, Bulgaria
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
We've lived in Central Asia as well.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
From Washington DC, there are flights to major European cities (Pairs, Munich, Frankfurt, London) and then flights to Sofia from there. The trip is somewhere around 7 hours for the longer flight and 2-3 for the Euro leg, plus all the layover time.
3. How long have you lived here?
4 years, from 2012-2016.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
U.S. embassy family
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Apartments and free-standing houses. Embassy housing is very good, ranging from 5-30 minutes or so commute. We are very happy with our housing, although we would prefer to be in a complex with some sort of common area. (We are 1 mile outside of the public transport system range)
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Most things are available and relatively cheap. You can get fantastic yogurt and produce, usually fresh bread. There are tortillas, loaf style bread, pinto beans, bio / organic items, etc. However, things like chocolate chips and specialty items like gluten free flours are expensive if available.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Baking goods like chocolate chips, but almost everything else we use is available here.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
McDonald's, Happy Sushi, KFC. They are cheaply priced compared to the U.S. and most of the rest of Europe.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
None.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Our limited experience with mail has been very iffy - a postcard arrived to the U.S. a year after it was sent! We rarely use local mail, though.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Available and relatively inexpensive. For cleaning help, most people pay around 10 lev (a little less than US$6) per hour.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Yes, don't know about costs.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Officially recommended not to use outside of the Embassy ATM, but many people do and have few problems.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Unsure. Lots of different churches here, Orthodox synagogue, and mosques.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Depends on how you live. Many people, especially younger people, speak at least some English.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
If you wanted to walk around downtown, it would require a lot of effort. Stairs, broken stones, etc.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Taxis are cheap, don't take trains or buses. There is a widely used Metro that's slowly expanding (if you live close to it).
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
Anything for in the city, but smaller is better. If you want to go out, 4WD and snow tires are a good option. We have just a minivan, and other than parking in the city and one deeper snowfall, it's been fine.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, very reasonably priced. We pay around US$50 a month for cable tv, high speed internet, and VOIP phone.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Cheap service, many choices. We've been happy.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
Not quarantined, but getting them here requires the usual traveling hoops. No experience with vet or kennel.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Labor is underpaid here, so the hourly rate you could earn on the economy would be pretty low.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Orphanages, refugee camps, different churches.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Work is suits and business wear, after is anything. People here tend to dress up more to go out than we do in the US, but you'll see all types.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Pickpockets, general good security awareness needed.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Decent medical care, but not fully up to U.S. standards. That said, we know multiple people who had babies here, had emergency surgery here, or other procedures, and it was fine. Not ideal, and some cultural differences, but fine.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
We live a little outside the city and up, and it's good quality here. In the city itself, I think there are some days where it's a bit hazy, but it's not really a concern here.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
No experience, but nothing too obvious for these.
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Similar to DC area. 4 seasons, some snow in winter, hot temps in summer.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
People are generally satisfied. Prices are high, though! Anglo American, British, French, even Montessori. Several homeschoolers here as well.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
I don't have experience with this, but they have several "resource room" teachers, so I assume there is something.
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Yes, but we haven't used them. I don't think they are very expensive. We have an in-home babysitter / nanny, and pay 900 leva/month for about 40 hours per week (about US$520).
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
At schools, yes, and some sports summer camps. Many expat families spend the summers elsewhere.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Fairly large and good morale overall.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Have friends over for dinner, meet up at restaurants, lots of activities like runs, classes, etc.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Yes. Strollers are hard to use downtown as in most European capitals (cobblestones, lack of sidewalk or cars parked on the sidewalk, etc.). There is a big bar scene, clubs, music, etc.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Some, but not too bad. For example, I've been complemented several times on my parking skills. They are apparently shockingly great...for a woman.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Rila Monastery, hot springs trips, caves, Black Sea beach, visits to Greece, hiking and skiing in the mountains, Roman ruins in downtown Sofia...Lots to choose from!
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Going up into the mountains, hikes, hot/mineral springs, caves nearby. Lots of fun if you are wiling to explore.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Travel! Pottery and rose oil and other rose products, food at restaurants. Artwork and framing are popular items as well.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Tons of great local culture, gorgeous natural sights, and a generally less expensive cost of living. Fresh produce is good, tap water is drinkable, and quality of life is generally good as well. Within easy traveling distance of many countries - short flights and reasonable drives.
10. Can you save money?
Yes. Life is cheaper here overall.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
expectations of first class Europe. Definitely Eastern European in flavor.
3. But don't forget your:
Sense of adventure.
